Elia Canakaivata

Elia Canakaivata (born 12 July 1996) is a Fijian rugby sevens player.[1][2] He made his Commonwealth Games debut representing Fiji at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Elia Canakaivata
Date of birth (1996-07-12) 12 July 1996
Rugby union career
Position(s) Forward/Flanker
Current team Fijian Latui
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Fijian Latui ()
National sevens team(s)
Years Team Comps
2021– Fiji
Medal record
Men's rugby sevens
Representing  Fiji
Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place2022 BirminghamTeam
Rugby Sevens World Cup
Gold medal – first place2022 Cape TownTeam competition

Biography

Canakaivata was raised up in a village called Navunisole in the Tailevu Province of Fiji. He has also represented Fijian Army and played for Fijian Army rugby sevens side. His father and elder brother died in a road accident in December 2020 in Fiji.[3]

Career

Canakaivata played as a flanker for Northland side in Fiji's provincial 15-a-side competition before being part of the Fijian squad for the 2017 Central Coast Sevens.[4]

In November 2021, he made his World Sevens Series debut in Dubai. He nearly came closer to quit the sport following the family tragedies in December 2020 but his mother convinced him to continue the sport amid the struggle.[4] In April 2022, he scored his first international try in Fijian colours during the 2022 Singapore Sevens. He would then eventually be part of Fijian lineup which won the 2022 Singapore Sevens where Fiji edged past New Zealand in the final.

Canakaivata was a vital member of the Fijian team which defeated Ireland in the final to claim the Toulouse Sevens.[5] He was member of the Fijian squad which won Plate Championship (bronze) at the 2022 London Sevens.[6] In June 2022, he was selected for the Oceania Rugby Super Sevens.[7]

Canakaivata was included in the Fijian rugby sevens squad for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and was part of the national squad which claimed silver medal in the men's rugby sevens tournament where Fiji lost to South Africa 7-31 in the final.[8][9][10] He also won a gold medal at the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town.[11][12][13][14]

References
  1. "Elia Chanakaivita". Birmingham. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  2. worldrugby.org. "Elia Canakaivata - Player Stats | HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  3. "Elia dedicates selection to late father, brother". FijiTimes. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  4. "Elia Canakaivata: Ten things you should know about the Fiji sevens player". Rugby World. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  5. Rugby, Asia (22 May 2022). "New Zealand women and Fiji men triumph in Toulouse 7s". Asia Rugby. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  6. Desk, Karalaini Tavi Multimedia Journalist Sports. "Bronze medal finish for Fiji". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  7. Ligaiula, Pita. "FRU names Fijian and Fijiana 7s squads for Oceania Rugby Super Sevens | PINA". Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  8. "Birmingham 2022 Results". results.birmingham2022.com. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  9. Team, FIJI TV (26 July 2022). "Fiji 7s team named for the Commonwealth Games". Fiji One News. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  10. "Fiji names formidable squad for Commonwealth Games". FijiTimes. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  11. Baleilevuka, Rusiate (1 September 2022). "Fiji Men's 7s World Cup squad named". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  12. Prasad, Vashneel (22 August 2022). "Gollings names Fiji Airways Fijian 7s extended squad for LA 7s and the World Cup". Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  13. "Fiji wins men's title at South Africa 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens while Australia claim women's crown". olympics.com. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  14. Coetzee, Dylan (12 September 2022). "Rugby World Cup Sevens: Fiji and Australia claim gold in Cape Town". PlanetRugby. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
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